Bogdan Boev

I have been passionately photographing wildlife since 2007. It started as a hobby for me, and later it became my profession, after retiring from 17 years of professional basketball career. I now manage and constantly expand a network of wildlife photography hides in Bulgaria, where I organise workshops and tours for international photographers of any skill level.

My name is Bogdan Boev. I was born in 1982 in Dimitrovgrad, a town in Southeastern Bulgaria. From a young age, I developed a deep connection with nature. Growing up near the Maritsa River, the second-largest river in Bulgaria after the Danube, I spent countless hours fishing with my father and friends along its banks. These early experiences left a lasting impression, fuelling my passion for observing wildlife in its natural environment.

In my teenage years, however, another passion took centre stage - basketball. At 15, I made my debut as a professional player in the men’s championship, and this led to 17 seasons in Bulgaria’s professional basketball league. My life was consumed by sports camps, intense training, and seasonal competitions, leaving me with little time to connect with nature. A month of downtime was the best I could manage, but it was never enough to satisfy my longing for the wild.

In 2007, I realized I needed to return to the natural world, as I used to do in my youth. Photography became the perfect way to rekindle that connection, allowing me to capture the magic of nature and the wildlife I had always admired. The experience of witnessing these moments through my lens was nothing short of overwhelming, and I surrendered to it wholeheartedly.

By the time I retired from professional sports, I had already accumulated significant experience in wildlife photography. When Wild Echo, a birdwatching and wildlife photography tour company, offered me a position, I eagerly accepted. This was the beginning of a new chapter in my life.

Three years later, I moved to Scotland with my wife. Although my work with Wild Echo ended, my passion for photography and nature remained unchanged. I spent two seasons in Poland, helping my friend and fellow photographer, Marcin Nawrocki, with his white-tailed eagle workshops.

But my connection to Bulgaria never faded. I focused on establishing a wildlife photography base with hides near my hometown of Dimitrovgrad, an area rich in opportunities for wildlife photography. I continue to expand my knowledge, discover new locations, and build hides to create the best conditions for photography while minimizing disturbances to the wildlife. My goal is to produce work that resonates with true enthusiasts and advocates of wildlife photography.

Years of experience have shown me that everyone can play a role in conservation. Through my photography, I aim to contribute to the protection of nature. I donate some of my images to conservation efforts, share my work on social media to inspire others, and participate in exhibitions, occasional TV programs and wildlife photography events to raise awareness for the cause. Each year, I build and install bird nesting boxes in the wider area surrounding my network of hides.

I’m fortunate to be able to turn my passion into a career. Starting a nature-friendly business has allowed me to sustain both my passion for photography and my commitment to conservation. We must recognize that nature is not merely a resource - it offers far more, including the potential to support local communities in a sustainable manner. Wildlife photography, in particular, can play a crucial role in preserving habitats and biodiversity. In many parts of the world, thriving ecosystems are becoming rare, but people are willing to invest in these precious places if it ensures their long-term conservation.